Cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A cleaning apparatus for washing utensils may include a housing and a first and second brush that may be removeably disposed in the housing. A hook may be provided on the housing for securing the housing to a secondary structure such as a sink or basin. A suction cup may also be provided on the housing to bias the housing against movement during use.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/578,180 filed Jun. 9, 2004, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a cleaning apparatus. More specifically, the invention concerns an apparatus that may be used for cleaning eating utensils having a housing and a pair of opposed brushes that may be removeably disposed within the housing.

II. Reference to Related Art

A traditional method of washing utensils (including eating utensils such as knives, forks and spoons, or kitchen utensils such as a spatula, etc., of any size) involves scrubbing the utensil by hand with a wet and soapy brush. However, this manner of washing is inherently time intensive and may cause stress on the body. Further, a person with a physical handicap may not be capable of scrubbing a utensil (or multiple utensils) in a satisfactory manner. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a device to assist with the scouring and cleaning of utensils of various shapes and sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A cleaning apparatus may include a housing and a pair of brushes that are positioned on opposing interior walls of the housing such that the bristles of one brush are close to or overlay the bristles of the other brush. The base or floor of the housing has an opening that permits water to flow though the housing. Alternatively, the base may be closed and it may also optionally include a valve to allow a user to selectively drain the water from the housing. A hook may be provided on the housing for securing the housing to a secondary structure such as a sink or basin. Further, a suction cup may be provided on the housing to bias the housing against movement during use. Various means for dispensing a liquid detergent may also be provided on the housing or the brushes.

In operation, a user of the apparatus will grasp a utensil and then manually reciprocate the utensil in the housing and between the bristles of the brushes to scour and clean the utensil.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be had to the attached figures wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of a cleaning apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a cleaning apparatus constructed with strainer type base;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 with a detergent dispensing apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 wherein the detergent dispensing apparatus is integral with a brush; and

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a cleaning apparatus having a closed base and a valve.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a cleaning apparatus 10 may include a housing 12 and a first 14 and second 16 brush that may be removeably disposed in the housing 12. The dimensions of the housing 12 and the brushes 14, 16, may be modified according to the needs of a user such that the apparatus 10 may accommodate a wide variety of utensils in a range of sizes and shapes. A hook 18 may be provided on the housing 12 for securing the housing 12 to a secondary structure (not shown) such as a sink or basin (not shown). A suction cup 20 may also be provided on the housing 12 proximate the hook 18 to bias the housing 12 against movement during use.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing 12 may be constructed as a squared or rectangular cube. However, other designs such as an circular or oval cylinder may also be used. The housing 12 may include a front wall 22, a rear wall 24, a first 26 and a second 28 sidewall and a base (or floor) 30. An end 32 of the housing 12 opposed the base 30 is open. A guide 34 may also be positioned on each sidewall 26, 28 of the housing 12. As will be described below, each guide 34 may be slidably, removably engaged by a brush 14, 16.

The housing 12 may be constructed of a transparent polymer material. However, other materials (transparent or not) that include the requisite strength and rust resistance (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, Plexiglas or PVC) may also be used to construct the housing 12.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the base 30 of the housing 12 may include an opening or a plurality of openings such that water drains from housing 12. Where a plurality of openings are used it will be appreciated that the base 34 of the housing 12 functions as a strainer (see FIG. 4). Further, where the base 30 of the housing 12 is open, the base 30 may include a pair of flanges 36 that serve to prevent a brush 14, 16 from falling through the base 30. Alternatively, the base 30 may be closed. Where the base 30 is closed, a valve 38 may be positioned in or proximate the base 30 to selectively drain water from the housing 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, the first 14 and second 16 brush may each include a handle 40, 42 and a plurality of bristles 44, 46 that extend from each handle 40, 42. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, each brush 14, 16 may be constructed independent of the housing 12 or, alternatively each brush 14, 16 may be constructed integral with the housing 12 such that each handle 40, 42 is also a sidewall 26, 28 of the housing 12.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first 14 and second 16 brush may thus be removably positioned in the housing 12 such that the bristles 44, 46 are directed in an opposed relationship toward an interior 44 of the housing 12. As a result, the bristles 44, 46 of one brush 14, 16 may overlap or come within a close proximity to the bristles 44, 46 of the other brush 14 or 16.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, as mentioned above each handle 40, 42 may include a pair of parallel spaced apart flanges 50 or ribs that may slidably engage the guides 34 of the housing 12. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that when such guides 34 and flanges 50 are present, a user will be able to easily position each brush 14, 16 within the housing 12.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each handle 40, 42 of each brush 14, 16 may be constructed from a variety of formable, non-corroding or non-oxidizing materials such as a plastic (or other polymer), stainless steel or aluminum.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the bristles 44, 46 of each bush 14, 16 may be constructed of a durable, synthetic, non-corroding material such as plastic (or other polymer). However, it will be appreciated that natural materials and metals may also be used in the construction of the bristles 44, 46. The bristles 44, 46 on the first 14 and second 16 brush may also be of different lengths or densities. Accordingly, the cleaning apparatus 10 may include a first brush 14 having bristles 44 of a predetermined length and a high density while and the bristles 46 of the second brush 16 may have a length that is longer or shorter and of a higher or lower density than that of the bristles 44 on the first brush 14. It is also to be appreciated that the lengths and densities of the bristles 44, 46 may be varied even on a particular brush 14 or 16. For example, the first brush 14 may have bristles 44 at one end 52 that are longer and denser than the bristles 44, 46 at an opposite end 54 of the brush 14.

The hook 18 may be secured to and extend from an exterior side of a wall of the housing 12 (e.g., the rear wall 32 of the housing 12) such that the housing 12 may be suspended from a secondary structure (e.g., a sink, basin, tub, table, chair, etc. A pad 52 (e.g., a foam pad—see FIGS. 5 and 7) may be provided on an interior 56 surface of the hook 18 to prevent the hook 18 from damaging the secondary structure.

The suction cup 20 or a similar removal removable mounting device (e.g., a hook-and-loop fastener such as VELCRO) is also provided on the exterior surface of the same wall from which the hook 18 extends. The suction cup 20 biases the housing 12 against movement during use of the cleaning apparatus 10.

In operation, a user may add a detergent (not shown) to the ends 58 of the bristles 44, 46 at the open end 32 of the housing 12. Next, a user may add an amount of water (not shown) as a means of activating the detergent. The user will then grasp a knife 60, fork, spoon or other utensil in need of cleaning and place it between the bristles 18 of the first 14 and second 16 brushes within the housing 12. Finally, the user will move the utensil in a reciprocating path between the brushes 14, 16 with the result that the utensil is scoured clean.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown another embodiment of the cleaning apparatus 10′. In this embodiment, a first 62 and second 64 set of opposed brackets are disposed on an interior of the sidewalls 26, 28 of the housing 12. The brackets may be formed as shown in FIG. 3 or may also be formed such that the sidewalls 26, 28 form part of the each bracket 62, 64. The brackets 62, 64 are operable to retain therebetween a handle 40, 42 for a first 14 or a second 16 brush. The base 30 of the housing 12 may also be also partially enclosed or includes a series of flanges 36 proximate the brackets 62, 64 to maintain the first 14 and second 16 brush within the housing 12. A resilient locking flange 65 (or tab) is incorporated into the sidewalls 26, 28 proximate each of the brackets 62, 64 for removably securing the first 14 or second 16 brush within the housing 12. The hook 18 and suction cup 20 are also provided as discussed above. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the brushes 14, 16 of the alternative embodiment may be easily removed, replaced or cleaned as necessary according to the needs of the user.

Still referring to FIGS. 3, 5 and 7, a detergent dispensing apparatus 66 (including a reservoir of detergent 68) may be provided in or along a sidewall 26, 28 of the housing 12. The detergent dispensing apparatus 66 may have a movable pump (or nozzle) 70 that will allow a user to dispense a detergent directly onto the bristles 44, 46 and then move the nozzle 70 out of the way during a cleaning operation. Additionally, or alternatively, the detergent dispensing apparatus 66 may be constructed integral with a brush handle 40, 42 of either the first 14 or second 16 brush or with a wall of the housing 12 (see FIG. 6). Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the brush handle 40, 42 or housing 12 wall may include a reservoir 74, 76 and a refill port 78, 80 for a detergent that may be dispensed onto the bristles 44, 46 through the use of a pump (or nozzle) 82 that is integral with the brush or the housing 12.

Having thus described my invention, various other embodiments will become apparent to those having skill in the art that do not depart from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A cleaning apparatus comprising: a housing; a first brush and a second brush positioned within the housing, each brush having a plurality of bristles, the bristles of the first brush and the second brush being directed toward an interior of the housing such that the brushes are operable to clean a utensil.
 2. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a hook extending from the housing for securing the housing to a secondary structure.
 3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a removable mounting device positioned on the housing proximate the hook, the removable mounting device being operable to bias the housing against movement during use.
 4. The cleaning apparatus of claim 3, wherein the removable mounting device includes a suction cup.
 5. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a removable mounting device positioned on the housing, the removable mounting device being operable to bias the housing against movement during use.
 6. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a detergent dispensing apparatus positioned on the housing.
 7. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the detergent dispensing apparatus is integral with the housing.
 8. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein one of the first or second brushes includes a detergent dispensing apparatus.
 9. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a pair of guides and the first and second brush including a pair flanges that are operable to engage the guides of the housing.
 10. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a first and a second set of opposed brackets, each set of brackets being are operable to retain one of the first or second brushes therebetween.
 11. The clean apparatus of claim 10, wherein the housing further comprises a resilient locking flange proximate each set of brackets, each locking flange being operable to engage and secure one of the first and second brushes within the housing.
 12. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises a valve operable to allow a fluid to be drained from the housing.
 13. A clean apparatus for utensils comprising: a housing including a front wall, a rear wall, a first and a second sidewall, a base and an open end opposite the base, a guide is positioned on each sidewall; a first brush and a second brush positioned within the housing, each brush having a plurality of bristles and a pair flanges, the flanges of each brush being operable to engage the guides of the housing, the bristles of each brush being directed toward an interior of the housing such that the brushes are operable to clean a utensil; a hook extending from the housing for securing the housing to a secondary structure; and a removable mounting device positioned on the housing proximate the hook, the removable mounting device being operable to bias the housing against movement during use.
 14. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a detergent dispensing apparatus positioned on the housing.
 15. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, wherein the housing includes a first and a second set of opposed brackets, each set of brackets being are operable to retain one of the first or second brushes therebetween.
 16. The clean apparatus of claim 15, wherein the housing further comprises a resilient locking flange proximate each set of brackets, each locking flange being operable to engage and secure one of the first and second brushes within the housing.
 17. The cleaning apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a valve positioned in the base of housing operable to allow a fluid to be drained from the housing.
 18. A clean apparatus for utensils comprising: a housing including a front wall, a rear wall, a first and a second sidewall, a base that includes an opening and an open end opposite the base, a guide is positioned on each sidewall; a first brush and a second brush positioned within the housing, each brush having a plurality of bristles and a pair flanges, the flanges of each brush being operable to engage the guides of the housing, the bristles of each brush being directed toward an interior of the housing such that the brushes are operable to clean a utensil; a hook extending from the housing for securing the housing to a secondary structure; and a removable mounting device positioned on the housing proximate the hook, the removable mounting device being operable to bias the housing against movement during use.
 19. The cleaning apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a detergent dispensing apparatus positioned on the housing.
 20. The cleaning apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a valve positioned in the base of housing operable to allow a fluid to be drained from the housing. 